Ruination

We spent a while making sure we could get back early to the train station tomorrow. We need to be there by about 7:30 am, and combining the facts that we have been told getting Uber this far out can be hit and miss, and that the drivers who do live out here may not be up and about at 7 am, we were concerned. Tami did manage to find a local taxi driver who promised to pick us up at 7:15, so we should be good. Also, it looks like the protests are staying largely peaceful, so getting through St. Louis tomorrow should not be a problem.

We were ready for a little change of pace today and Mike found just the mindless event to keep us entertained. We were not really looking forward to spending an hour each way on a bus to get into Kansas City proper, and it was not clear there was that much to see if we did. Fortunately there was a large renaissance fair going on just a couple of miles away and, well, we like that sh*t! We got there just as it opened and we had a blast. The site has many permanent buildings and structures that are quite elaborate and there were plenty of vendors, actors, entertainers, and visitors who were in elaborate costumes, adding to the atmosphere.

The front gate at opening time

Liked that building

Kids on medieval swing

Mike was delighted to find a stand selling scotch eggs, and when we wore down we found a sit down place offering sandwiches and beer. That revived us enough to finish the fair.

It was also fun to see how much steam punk had crept into a fair like this. It seems to have crept away from historical re-enactment and more into fantasy costume play. Sort of a triumvirate of medieval, pirate, and steampunk themes (with a little Lord of the Rings thrown in). We even found a couple of steampunk influenced hand-made leather bags that we think will be just the ticket for our Bike Fridays. Tami also found a wooden saxophone (played with holes like on a wooden flute) that will be a good addition to our wooden instrument collection. And of course Mike’s new dead pirate bandana with pink hearts should be a hit on the Katy!

Mike studying ye olde fayre map

Tami wanted the Wonder Woman scale mail

Parade going by

Overheard in the royal privy for ladies (not lards – and Mike objected to being called a “lard”): “Make sure your sword doesn’t fall in the toilet.”

At last, it was time to go to the Sporting KC soccer game, which was our whole reason for being in Kansas City. The stadium is literally a three minute walk from our hotel, although we once again had to avoid the sidewalk that seems to have 24/7 sprinklers (see yesterday’s post). It is a beautiful stadium, purpose-built for soccer, with velvet smooth grass and seats that surround the pitch completely.

We circled the stadium to find the best food choice, but were disappointed to find the same hot dogs and pizza offered throughout. The prices, however, were far lower than at the Clink, and that extended to the beer and cocktails. Yes, cocktails!! We both had Manhattans! At a soccer game! Purchased on the general concourse! They were inexpensive and quite good, even with your choice of bourbon. Oh, and let’s talk about beer prices. A 25 ounce craft beer for $10. Unheard of. So KC has it all over the Clink in prices, but it is too bad there aren’t more interesting food choices, and the beer choices were very limited, but adequate.

Look at those prices!

The game started with a shocking goal in the fourth minute by New England, who are bottom of the table and lost their last game 7-0. The crowd was stunned, but that was soon followed by a straight red card to a NE player, and KC was soon in control of the game. The final score was 3-1. We were also simultaneously following the Sounders game against Dallas on Mike’s cell phone, but alas, they could only eke out yet another draw, a boring 0-0 at that.

Better fireworks than Seattle

Game started

We made the three minute walk back to the hotel (wow, that’s nice!), and now we’re back in our room in time for a nice, dramatic thunderstorm outside. We heard a few raindrops and then not 30 seconds later there was a huge lightning and thunder strike. Cool!! We are actually in Kansas right now, so we are finally witnessing a true Midwest thunder storm. We just hope we don’t have any for the ride.